Review of Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) by Nadine B — 06 Nov 2006
This is more of a stage play that a movie as nearly every scene is converted into a performance. What is totally amazing is how James Cagney is surprisingly nimble on his feet. He totally looses his Wise Guy image as soon as he starts dancing.
His over-the-top dancing is the highlight of the entire movie! Its safe to say his performance acts as a tribute to the way Cohan must have put on a one man show... as Cagney succeeds in giving one of his best performances by being the driving force behind the entire movie.
The movie is full of memorable songs and overall acts as an interesting biography piece. It has some easy on the eye shots with good and interesting characters and natural screen presence seems to immerge from every performer.
The movie appears to be one large patriotic message and this is valued. However, the main aspect that lets this movie down is its pace. The movie steadily gathers momentum up to its peak which is about half way through the movie.
.. then continues to fall at the same rate. The long drawn out musical sequences and secondary character storylines become dull and uninteresting. Though the movie has some very strong points it also has some problems and as a result it ballances out, looses some of its patriocal message and its feel good factor.
Watch for Cagney's performance alone!
This review of Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) was written by Nadine B on 06 Nov 2006.
Yankee Doodle Dandy has generally received very positive reviews.
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